The Village of Chad

the village of Chad

a women walking with her basket

the people who came forward to recieve Christ

the rut in the road

It was a short nights sleep for us and the morning started with a few strange incidences. First was the van not starting at 6:45 AM. I guess I should explain the van and taxis we take around. They are pretty beat up and seat 18 or 19 people. There are 4 seats or benches (some don't have backs) that seat 4 each behind the driver where there are 2 more seats to sit in. The one van owned by the CMA wouldn't start. Tim had us push it out into the street so we could then have it roll down hill where he would pop the clutch and get it started. It of course worked, the kids loaded in that one and the other 2 taxi vans. There are 30 of us total all the time because of the interns that help but then we also needed to pick up the Gabonese Pastor, nurses and workers which added 10 more to our total. On the way a pick up truck tapped the taxi i was in, it was kind of a loud sound but no new damage on the beat up taxi. we got to the area to pick up the Gabonese who were about 45 minutes late. Wejust sat around waiting. There is American time and then Gabonese time. They are a very happy people and very laid back. We could take a bit from them but the time thing is a little tough to adjust to. finally at 8:15 we were on the road to Chad the village.

Now to tell you about the roads here. There are NO ROAD SIGNS!! ANYWHERE!! I have no idea how they know anything, but then again there are only a few main roads. As we were heading south the road would just be missing sections of pavement so you would be going 60KPH and then they would slam on the brakes to go over a 10 meter section that was dirt or there would just be these squares of asphalt gone. (This is for Ben and Ashley who said that Thailand had beeter roads than Michigan. Gabon has Michigan beat by far with terrible roads)After and hour on the road we had to stop at a ministery place to get permission to enter the village. We had to pray while Tim and the Pastor went into get it even though the Pastor had gotten it last week. Strange system. From there the road became dirt and it was unbelievably bad. Deep ruts ran through it and it was like playing dodge ball with the road. It was crazy. Finally we headed east on a single lane dirt road and had to go over 3 bridges that, well, were a few boards and you could see them move under the tires. Okay, do not freak out about that, it was over very small creeks. Finally 3 hours after week left the compund we hit the village of Chad. As our vans rolled in the people were waving at us and smiling. It was like we were royalty. The whole village was there and they welcomed us so nicely. There was no electicity or running water yet they seemed so content.

The first thing was that they had us all come in and sit in front if them. Then Jadrien gave his testimony to them and it made me cry. The Pastor then did and alter call. Many of the village people (no not those village people) came forward to recieve Christ. There was a large group but Pastor Mike had those raise their hands that it was there first and it was around 15 to 20 adults. Jadrien's testimony was an amazing one. Then Mama Janine presented the gospel and a lot of the children came forward. who really knowswith that but a seed was definately planted. After that was our skit about Malaria awareness and again, I must say your kids rocked! Using no words the kids conveyed what they needed and then Mama Janine explaine deach segmant but the villagers were laughing at the proper parts without explaination. I have it on video so at some point you all can see it. It took about 10 minutes and you will love it. Then we got to hand out shoe boxes tothe kids from operation Christmas child from Samaritins Purse. Yes, it is July but Chirstmas in July is wonderful. The not good part of it is that there are never enough biy boxes done the missionaries said and true to form the box of boxes we got hd very few boy boxes in it. We had brought the soccer balls which helped ,but it was not pretty for girls to get a box full of stuff and the boys got one thing. If we fill shoeboxes again this year I now know to push more boxes for boys and mittens aren't a big need here in Gabon. After that we took a lunch break then onto the medical stuff.

After lunch our guys started a soccer game in and ash field and it was quite the animal game we will say. The girls pretty much helped with the medical stuff. We did weight and BP. Passed it onto the nurse who spoke french who would then make an assesment of their aliments. She would perscribe some meds, mainly vitamins and ibuprofen. Then our girls would fill little envelopes with what was perscribed and double checked by the nurse. There were antibiotics given out to but the sad thing was how many of the elderly were extremely hypertensive and there is nothing we could really do for because of the lack of long term abiltiy to get meds in the village. One mans BP was 244/124 which just broke my heart. It was a very good day and an amazing experience. The drive home took us 2 hours and was just as exciting as the way there. I

The days been long and good. Tomorrow is back to CFTAC to continue on the building of the wall. Thanks for your prayers,comments and taking the time to read this. It's been great for all us here too to hear from you. I guess the prayer for tommorow is safety while we build and that we can get a lot done.